Puttyless ventilated skylight



IT. c.lFow|.ER

PUTTYLESS VENTILATD SKYLIGHT Jan. 13, 1942.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 8. 1940 FIG.

villa IVENTOR.. Thadda EFnwleP zw/M ATTORNEYS.

Jan. 13, 1942. T, c, FOWLER PuTTYLEss VENTILATED SKYLIGHT 2 sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1940 INVENTOR. Th ad deus [lFnwle-r' ATTORNEYS.

atenteci Jan. 13, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUTTYLESS VENTILATED SKYLIGHT Thaddeus C. Fowler, Huntington, W. Va. Application February 8, 1940, Serial No. 317,943

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to skylight constructions and the primary object of the invention is to provide a puttyless ventilated skylight which will be leakproof and wherein a circulation of air is permitted so as to eliminate condensation.

A further object resides in the improved gutter arrangement and relationship of the glass panel to the metal frame which not only provides for proper ventilation and greater lighting efficiency, but also avoids excessive delivery of water to the side gutters.

A further object resides in the improved manner of mounting the glass panel so as to prevent breakage, and the means for retaining the panel in place.

A further object resides in the novel gutter arrangement providing a support for the glass panel in such a manner as to permit air to circulate freely about the edges of the glass so that sweating is eliminated.

A still further object is to provide a skylight frame which may be economically produced from sheet metal and readily applied to a roof without requiring the usual flashed curbing as now generally employed.

A still further object resides in the arrangement whereby a clean wash-out is provided for the gutters so as to take care of any excess accumulation of water without any likelihood of the gutters overflowing.

A still further object resides in the novel manner of .forming the gutters integral with the side and end members of the skylight frame whereby the gutters provide supports for the edge portions of the' glass panel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specifi-- cation and in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a broken away perspective view showing only the four corner portions of the skylight, the View being one looking at the lower end of the skylight.

Figure 2 is a vertical fragmentary section thru the lower end portion of the skylight.

Figure 3 is a vertical fragmentary section thru the upper end portion of the skylight.

Figure 4 is a vertical fragmentary section n the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a broken away perspective view showing only the four corner portions of a slightly modified formof skylight.

Figure 6 is a vertical fragmentary section thru the lower end portion of the skylight shown in Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical fragmentary section thru the upper end portion 0f the skylight shown in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical fragmentary section on the line 8-8'6f Figure 6.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts thruout the several views, the letter A may generally designate the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 4, while the letter B may designate the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 5 to 8.

Referring first to the skylight construction A shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, the same comprises an open sheet metal frame designated as a whole by the numeral I0 and in which is mounted a glass panel Il. The frame IIl may either be square or rectangular in shape, while the glass panel II is of suchv construction as to provide for ventilation and an even distribution of light over a large area as .will be later described.

The frame I0 comprises a pair of side sections I2, an upper end section I3, and a lower end section I4 all of which are formed of sheet metal and suitably secured together atV their end portions as by soldering, welding or any other preferred manner. The side sections I2 are each formed with a at base or mounting flange I5 having an upturned inwardly inclined flashing wall I6 along its inner edge. Extending upwardly from the upper edge of the wall I6 is a vertical side wall I1 which is folded or doubled inward upon itself into a closed fold I8 from which exl folded inward upon itself into a closed fold 25 tends inwardly a horizontal portion I9 having an upturned flange 20 along its inner edge forming a side gutter 2l extending along the inner side and thruout the length of the side wall Il. The upper or fold edge of the wall I'I extends above the upper edge of the flange 2D so that the gutter 2I is substantially J-shape in cross section.

The upper end section I3 is substantially similar in formation to that of the side sections I2 and embodies a fiat base or mounting flange 22 having an inwardly inclined flashing wall 23 along its inner edge. The vertical wall 24 is from which an inwardly extending horizontal portion 26 extends and is provided with an upturned flange 21 forming an upper end gutter 28 along theinner side of and extending thruout the length of the Wall 24. This end gutter 28 is also of J-shape in cross section andcommunicates at its ends Withvthe upper ends of the side gutters 2I, as clearl'ygfshown in-Figure 1.

base or mounting ilange 2l having an upturiied inwardly inclined ilashing wall Il along its inner edge. From the upper end gf the wall Il, the sheet metal is doubled upon itself to form an inwardly extending horizontal portion 2| having an upturned ilange 22 along its inner edge form n ing` a lower end gutter Il. At the outer edge of the gutter I3 the sheet metal extends upward providing a vertical supporting iiange or outer gutter wall 34. As shown particularly in Figures 1 and 2, the gutter wall 34 is inwardly spaced from the lower ends of the side walls I1, with the upper edge of the wall I4 aligning with the upper edge of the flanges of the side gutters 2|. The lower ends of the side gutters 2| do not communicate with the lower end gutter il, but extend above this gutter, and project thru the outer gutter wall 34 whereby any water collected in the gutters 2l and 2| may readily drain from the open ends o! the side gutters 2| upon the roof. 'I'he ends ot the lower end or condensation gutter I! extend to the side walls I1 of the side sections I2 and drain openings 35 are formed in the side walls I1 in alignment with the ends of the gutter 2l by striking out louvres 28 which act as shields for the openings 35. Thus any water collected in the gutter M, will drain from the openings Il directly upon the roof. The ends of the gutter are of course, soldered or otherwise secured by a leakproof connection to the side walls |1.

The gutter flanges 20 and 21, together with the outer wall 34 of the gutter Il have their upper edges in aligning relation and form supporting flanges for the glass panel I I which is oi' such construction and so associated with the supporting flanges as to permit free circulation of air about the edge portions of the panel whereby sweating is reduced to a minimum. The glass panel II is of a construction designed to provide maximum light diffusion and is ribbed on each side, with the ribs 31 on the upper side of the glass disposed at right angles to the ribs Il on the lower side of the glass. The glass panel is arranged in the frame l0 with the upper ribs I1 parallel to the side gutters 2| so that these ribs run or extend in the direction of fall of the skylight. The crowns oi' the ribs Il on the under side of the glass rest upon the upper edges of the side gutter flanges 2l and form a series of small air spaces Il along the upper edges oi' the flanges 2l for circulation of air beneath the glass. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the side and upper end edges of the glass panel are spaced from the metal frame to allow for expan sion of the glass without danger of breaking. As shown in Figure 2, the lower end of the glass extends beyond the outer wall 34 of the gutter Il and terminates iiush with the lower edges of the side walls I1.

Disposed over the upper edge of each side wall I1 is a retaining cap 4l, while disposed over the upper edge of the end wall 24 is a retaining cap 4| which serves to yieldably retain the glass panel I in place. These caps 4t and 4| are of substantially inverted V-shape providing a vertical skirt ilange 42, and an inclined bearing flange 43 for yieldably engaging the upper side of the glass II. These caps 40 and 4| are secured in place by means oi sheet metal strips 44 having their cen tra] portions passed thru openings cut in the folds la and for the respective caps and then passed upward thru slots cut in the apex of the caps. 'I'he ends of the strips 44 are then turned down over the flanges 42 and 43 for securing the caps in :,seaee The lower end section I4 is formed with. a dat:

place with the lower edges of the bearing nanges yieldably engaging the glass panel l I in substantially overlying relation to the gutter flanges 2l and 21. The caps 4l and 4| are removable independent'of one another and are not connected at their meeting ends.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the lower ends of -the caps 4l extend beyond the lower edge of the glass II, and the bearing flanges 43 are slit to form a retaining lug 4S which is bent or turned down over the lower edge oi' the glass so as to prevent the glass from sliding out of the frame ID.

Since the flange 32 of the lower end gutter 23 is spaced from the lower side of the glass I, this gutter 33 serves not only as a means for collecting any condensation which may collect on the under side of the glass, but also permits circulation of air for reducing condensation.

Referring now to the form of skylight B shown in Figures 5 to 8 inclusive, many of the salient features embodied in this form of the invention will also be found embodied in the skylight construction A. The skylight B comprises an open sheet metal frame Il in which is mounted a glass panel il of like construction as that of the panel II, the panel Il having ribs 52 onits upper side which are disposed at right angles to ribs 53 on the lower side of the glass. The upper ribs l2 run or extend in the direction of fall or pitch of the skylight. i

The frame Il is of four-piece construction, comprising a pair of side sections i4. an upper end section Ii, and a lower end section il suitably secured together at their end portionsas by soldering, welding or the like. The side sections 54 are each formed with a iiat base or mounting flange I1 at the inner edge of which is an upturned inwardly inclined dashing wall 5l which is doubled or folded outwardly upon Yitself at the upper portion into a,closed ,fold forming a supporting flange 5l. Extending upwardly from the lower edge of the ange 59 is a vertical side wall Il which extends above the upper edge of the flange 5I and co-acts with the latter to form a V-shaped side gutter 6| disposed outwardly of the flashing wall 54. Formed along the upper edge of the vertical wail Il is an inclined bearing flange i2 which extends inwardly and downwardly over the gutter Il with its lower edge adapted to ldably engage the upper side of the glass p` 5|. The upper or fold edge of the iiange 62 projects outwardly oi' the wall Il and forms a lip I3.

The upper end section 8B is substantially slmilar to the side sections I4, embodying a flat base ange 44 formed with an upwardly and inwardly inclined flashing wall l5 along its. inner edge which is doubled outwardly upon itself at the upper portion to provide a supporting liange IB. A vertical side wall 61 extends upwardly from the lower edge of the ,flange Oi and co-acts with the latter to form a V-shaped upper end gutter il disposed outwardly of the flashing wall l5. The ends of this gutter il communicate with the. upper ends of the side gutters Il. An inclined bearing flange 4I along the upper edge of the wall i1 extends inwardly and downwardly over the gutter tl for yieldably engaging the glass panel 5|. A lip 10 projects outwardly of the wall I1. The meeting edges of the bearing flanges I2 and 09 are not secured together and permit independent yielding of the ii'anges. As shown, the upper edges of the supporting flanges Il and 4I align and form a support forthe upper and side portions of the panel 5|.

The lower end section il embodies a nat base flange 1i. having an upwardly and inwardly inclined flashing wall 12 along its inner edgewhich is doubled or folded outwardly upon itself along the upperv portion to form a gutter flange 'I3 having its upper edge disposed below the plane of the upper edges of the supporting flanges 59 and 66. Extending upwardly Ifrom the lower edge of the flange 13 is a vertical side wall 14 which extends above the upper edge of the flange 'I3 and co-acts with the latter to form a V- shaped lower end gutter 'I5 disposed outwardly of the flashing wall 12. The upper edge of the side wall N extends flush with the upperv edges of the flanges 59 and i8 and forms a supporting flange for the lower portion of the glass Il.

As shown particularly in Figures and 6, 'the side gutters Si together with the bearing flanges B2, extend beyond the outer wall 14 of the lower gutter 'l5 land the ends or the gutter 15 do not` communicate with the side gutters 8|. tom of the gutter 15 is below the bottom of the side gutters 6| whereby any Water collected in the gutter 'l5 will drain from the open ends cf the gutter l5 directly upon the roof. To allow for mounting the skylight B upon a substantially fiat roof, the side gutters 6i may be provided with suitably spaced weep holes 76 which not only serve to permit water to drain from the intermediate portion of the gutters but also permit a circulation oi' air for preventing condensation forming on the glass panel 5i.

The lower end of the glass 5i extends beyond the lower gutter wall N but terminates short of the lower end of the bearing anges 62. The lower ends of the flanges 82 are slit to form retaining lugs Il which are bent or turned down over the lower edge of the glass panel 5| for retaining the glass in place in the frame 5G.

Thus, in both forms of the invention, the construction is such as to permit ventilation and eliminate dripping due to sweating. The gutter arrangement is such as to eliminate flooding ot the lower gutter since the side gutters do not discharge to the lower gutter butv have a clean wash-out directly upon the roof. The integrally formed gutters provide for economical construction of the skylight frame, as well as reinforcing the upper portion of the frame. Since the bearing iianges $3 or 62 have yieldable contact along one edge with the glass panel, panels of different thicknesses may be placed in the frame and the pressure exerted by the bearing anges easily varied by merely springing the flanges as is believed will be readily apparent.

Changes in detail may be made to the forms oi' the invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

LA puttyless ventilated skylight comprising an open frame unit provided with marginal gutters each having an upstanding supporting fiange, a glass panel unit resting on the supporting flanges, one of said units having a series of recesses at the zone where the glass panel unit rests on said supporting flanges of the frame unit, forming a series of small air spaces at the under side of the panel along the upper edges The botuic) edge, a side gutter along each side section communicating with the ends of the upper gutter and each embodying a supporting flange having a straight upper edge, said side gutters opening thru the lower section, a lower gutter across the lower section beneath the side gutters and embodying a supporting flange, said lower gutter opening at its ends at the side'sections, a ribbed glass panel resting on the straight upper edges of said supporting flanges and having ribs disposed in right angular relation on opposite sides thereof with the ribs on the under side Vof the panel extending transversely of the side gutters and providing a series of air spaces along. the straight upper edges of the side flanges, and a bearing flange on the side and upper end vsections for yieldably urging the panel down upon the supporting flanges.

3. A puttyless skylight comprising an open frame having a gutter about its `sides and upper end, a lower gutter across the lower end of they frame, a glass panel having a ribbed under side seating on the gutters and having its lower edge extending beyond said lower gutter, bearing flanges engaging the panel above the gutters at the sides and upper end of the frame and extending beyond the lower edge of the panel, and a retaining lug bent from the ends of the bearing flanges at the sides of the frame to extend over the lower edge of the-panel for securing the panel in the frame.

4. A skylight comprising a frame including side and upper and lower end sections, said sections each having a gutter formed along its inner side with the gutters along the side sections communicating at one end with the ends of the gutter along the upper section and at their other ends opening thru the lower section, and the gutter along the lower section being disposed below the side gutters and opening thru drain openings in the side sections below the side gutters, a louver struck from each side section Iand shielding the drain openings, and a glass panel secured in place resting upon said gutters, said panel having an irregular under surface at its zones of contact with the gutters.

5. In a skylight, a frame including side and upper and lower end sections. an upper gutter formed along the upper end section, a side gutter formed along each side section and communicating at one end with the ends of the upper gutter, said upper and side gutters each having a supporting flange along the inner edgethereof, a lower gutter formed along the lower end section to extend beneath the side gutters, said lower gutter having a supporting flange along its outer edge aligning with the supporting anges of the upper and side gutters and a flange along of the flanges, and a yieldable retaining flange engaging the upper surface of the panel at the sides and one end of the frame.

2. A skylight comprising a frame including side sections and upper and lower sections, an upper gutter across the upper section embodying a supporting ilange having a straight upper its inner edge oi' less height than the supporting flange, said side gutters opening at one end thru the lower end section, and the lower gutter opening at its ends thru the side sections of the frame, a ribbed glass panel supported onsaid flanges, and yieldable retaining means for the panel.

6. In a skylight construction, an open frame comprising side sections and upper and lower end sections, a V-shaped side gutter formed along the outside of each side section and opening at the lower end of the frame, spaced apart Weep holes provided in the bottom of each side gutter, a V-shaped upper gutter formed along the outside of the upper section and communicating at its ends with the upper ends of the side gutters, a V-shaped lower gutter formed along the outside of the lower section below the side gutters and opening at its ends at the sides of the frame, said gutters each providing a supporting edge, a ribbed glass panel resting on the supporting edges, and means for retaining the glass panel in place resting on said edges of the gutters.

7. In a skylight construction, a one piece sheet metal frame section comprising a. ilat base flange, an inclined ashing wall extending upwardly and inwardly from the inner edge of the base flange, a side wall extending vertically from the flashing wail and doubled inward and downward upon itself at its upper portion, a horizontal wall extending inward from the downturned wail portion. and an upstanding supporting flange extending upward from the horizontal wall and terminating below the upper edge of the side wall, a glass panel having a ribbed under side resting on the upper end of said supporting flange and providing a series of air spaces therealong, and a retaining flange engaging the upper side of the glass panel in substantial alignment above the supporting flange.

8. In a skylight construction, a one piece sheet metal frame section comprising a fiat base flange, an inclined flashing wall extending upwardly and inwardly from the inner edge of the base ilange and doubled outward and downward upon itself at its upper portion. a vertical side wall extending upward from the downturned flashing wall portion and extending above the upper edge of the flashing wall, and a lip inclined outwardly from the upper edge of the side wall and doubled inwardly upon itself forming a. bearing flange extending inwardly beyond the side wall and terminating in substantial alignment above the upper edge of the hashing wall, and a ribbed glazing panel disposed between the upper end of said ilashing wall and the lower end of said bearing flange with the crowns of the ribs resting on the former to provide a series of small air spaces therealong to permit ventilation of the skylight.

THADDEUS C. FOWLER. 

